2010 Shafer Vineyards Merlot
Merlot - 750ML

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2012

A delicious entry-level wine the 2010 Merlot is rich boisterous and loaded with fruit. Freshly cut flowers sweet red berries mint and spices all make an appearance in this flashy exuberant red. The vibrancy of the vintage...
A delicious entry-level wine the 2010 Merlot is rich boisterous and loaded with fruit. Freshly cut flowers sweet red berries mint and spices all make an appearance in this flashy exuberant red. The vibrancy of the vintage works to balance some of the wine's natural overtness. Clean saline notes add an attractive briskness to the finish. This is a gorgeous wine that makes a compelling case for Merlot-based wines in Napa Valley. The 2010 is 84% Merlot 10% Cabernet and 6% Malbec a variety that seems to add a little extra juiciness always welcome in a wine meant to be enjoyed upon release. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. -Antonio Galloni

Color & Type

Red

Varietal

Merlot

Country

USA

Region

California

Sub-region

North Coast

Vintage

2010

Winery

Shafer Vineyards

Shafer Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery located in the Stags Leap District of the Napa Valley. It was founded in 1972 by John Shafer who left a 23-year career in the publishing industry to pursue a second career in wine. After purchasing a 210-acre estate, the family faced the arduous task of replanting the existing vineyards which dated back to the 1920s.

Evolving from grape growers to vintners, the Shafers crushed their first Cabernet grapes in 1978 and began construction on their winery a year later. The first Shafer Cabernet became a benchmark, winning the acclaimed San Francisco Vintners Club taste-off upon release and, over a decade later taking first place in an international blind tasting held in Germany, where it outranked such wines as Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour and Chateau Palmer.

Doug Shafer became winemaker in 1983 after graduating from the University of California at Davis with a degree in enology and viticulture. A year later, Elias Fernandez joined the winery as assistant winemaker. Together Doug and Elias have worked closely to forge the Shafer style of quality, consistency and elegance.

New vineyards have been added over the years, with acreage acquired in the Oak Knoll, Stags Leap and Carneros districts, bringing the total Shafer vineyard acreage to over 200 acres. Winery facilities have been expanded and extensive caves carved into the hillside for aging wine.

In 1994, Elias was appointed winemaker, and Doug took over the reins as president when John became chairman of the board.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2012

A delicious entry-level wine the 2010 Merlot is rich boisterous and loaded with fruit. Freshly cut flowers sweet red berries mint and spices all make an appearance in this flashy exuberant red. The vibrancy of the vintage...
A delicious entry-level wine the 2010 Merlot is rich boisterous and loaded with fruit. Freshly cut flowers sweet red berries mint and spices all make an appearance in this flashy exuberant red. The vibrancy of the vintage works to balance some of the wine's natural overtness. Clean saline notes add an attractive briskness to the finish. This is a gorgeous wine that makes a compelling case for Merlot-based wines in Napa Valley. The 2010 is 84% Merlot 10% Cabernet and 6% Malbec a variety that seems to add a little extra juiciness always welcome in a wine meant to be enjoyed upon release. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. -Antonio Galloni

Winery

Shafer Vineyards

Shafer Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery located in the Stags Leap District of the Napa Valley. It was founded in 1972 by John Shafer who left a 23-year career in the publishing industry to pursue a second career in wine. After purchasing a 210-acre estate, the family faced the arduous task of replanting the existing vineyards which dated back to the 1920s.

Evolving from grape growers to vintners, the Shafers crushed their first Cabernet grapes in 1978 and began construction on their winery a year later. The first Shafer Cabernet became a benchmark, winning the acclaimed San Francisco Vintners Club taste-off upon release and, over a decade later taking first place in an international blind tasting held in Germany, where it outranked such wines as Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour and Chateau Palmer.

Doug Shafer became winemaker in 1983 after graduating from the University of California at Davis with a degree in enology and viticulture. A year later, Elias Fernandez joined the winery as assistant winemaker. Together Doug and Elias have worked closely to forge the Shafer style of quality, consistency and elegance.

New vineyards have been added over the years, with acreage acquired in the Oak Knoll, Stags Leap and Carneros districts, bringing the total Shafer vineyard acreage to over 200 acres. Winery facilities have been expanded and extensive caves carved into the hillside for aging wine.

In 1994, Elias was appointed winemaker, and Doug took over the reins as president when John became chairman of the board.

JJ Buckley Fine Wines

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